Marlene and Andy's Wedding

Last weekend, we joined in the wedding celebration of Marlene Kluss to Andrew Strom. They could not have picked a more perfect September day - warm and sunny ceremony, cool and crisp reception. 

The ceremony was held at the Peace Garden near Lake Harriet, while Lisa bravely offered up her home in Hopkins for the outdoor reception. Both went off without a hitch.

Erica, Lisa, and Sonja. Plus Alison Jones! I see you there in the background!

Admiring the new hardware

Marlene was stunning. It's always hard to take your eyes off the bride, but extra difficult on such a beautiful day. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Back at Lisa's house, somebody (probably Erin) brought birthday cake-flavored vodka to the reception. This is not something I had seen before. However, when combined with pineapple juice in a giant margarita ball, it really is unbeatable.

Leave it to the nine-months-pregnant lady to tap the keg! We are all grateful to Christina for her expertise. 

Adam found a way around the problem of not enough hands, which is doubly useful when it's time for dinner.

Dinner was a half-catered/half-potluck affair with pineapple-cake drinks on the side. Delicious!

I cannot believe we have to write about Go-Shots again on this blog, but apparently there are a few people left in our universe who have not had the opportunity to try them. Of course, this wouldn't be an issue at all if Adam would just quit bringing them along everywhere!  

Adam, Tim, Go-Shots, Erica, Lisa, Kim, and Justin

Someone delivered a beautifully-wrapped gift decorated with paper cranes. The logical response would be to say thanks and pass it along to the bride and groom. Adam and Tim, however, convinced of their paper-crafts skills, decided to see who could make the best origami crane in the shortest amount of time. 

Game on!

This is not a skill that I knew Adam possessed. I was very impressed by both parties. 

Winner!*

(*Although it could be argued that Adam constructed a contemporary paper crane with flappable wings, whereas Tim constructed the traditional origami paper crane as per the gift ornamentation.)

Then, just to show off, Adam constructed a paper goblet for - what else? - Go-shots. Always a hit with the crowd.

Anyway, the rest of the reception was a blast and - except for this canoe - decidedly less alcoholic.

 

Congratulations, Andy and Marlene!

 

Gustie crowd

Nicole, Erin, Erica, Marlo, Lisa, Kim, Al, and Westie

P.S. Congrats to all the Gusties married on September 3 and wishing that we could be in two places at once.

A Sure Sign of Fall

The flannel jacket is back. We were once this close to getting rid of it, until our Wisconsin neighbor pulled it out of the Goodwill pile and convinced Adam of its utility and coolness. 

Adam will wear it every day until spring.

Also, the daily hammock naps have commenced. The crazy, busy summer days are now officially behind us.

The Happiest Place on Earth

I know you think it would be Disney World, but you'd be wrong. It's actually the Minnesota State Fair. As a non-native Minnesotan without access to a cabin, a boat, or a legitimate Vikings jersey, this is the one stereotypical activity that I can fully and proudly support. (Although we did just get a used snow blower this past weekend, so I guess that makes two stereotypical activities.) This year, we brought along Adam's parents Doug and Janice, veterans of the South Dakota State Fair and cheerful participants in our annual outing. 

In no particular order, here is my baker's dozen list of Favorite Fair Activities. 

(And it would have been WAY more except Adam told me to keep it short. I originally had 52 favorites, and I meant them all.)

1. The Butter Sculptress

This should always be your first stop and your last stop, or the alpha and the omega, if you will. It just goes to show how much you can accomplish with a solid day's work.

2. The Agriculture-Horticulture Building

This is where I could easily spend half the day. The Ag-Hort Building is absolutely packed with jars of golden honey, row upon row of apples, tables of floral arrangements, displays of the newest sugar beets, and - finally - samples of Minnesota wines. And that's not counting the exterior grounds, where you can stop and smell the roses (or anemones).

This amazing work of art is comprised entirely of beeswax and managed to grab a second premium in the Bee and Honey category.

Hint: It's neither the staggering financial crisis nor the demise of the Twins' pennant chances.

3. Seed Art

You really have to see it to believe it. Surprisingly, many of the entries in the Seed Art competition have a decidedly liberal bent. If I had to pick a personal favorite, however, it would be this remarkable homage to Stacey and Clinton of TLC's "What Not to Wear". 

4. Fried Green Tomatoes

It's hard to choose a favorite fair food, but fried green tomatoes with a side of corn fritters and honey butter takes top honors this year.

5. "Creative Activities"

A lot of people skip this amazing building. Don't. Here's what you're missing: 

(FYI - Someone created this image in cross-stitch...and won!)

The home brewing display is new this year. It needs a little jazzing up though, since this is basically what our kitchen counters look like every night.

6. The Gustavus Booth 

It's always fun to sign in to the alumni book and check how many times Wade and Emily have already been to the fair. Also, since it's across from the MN House and Senate booths, you can share your ideas with your legislators and pretend that they're actually listening. Make your life count!

7. The Daily Parade

I don't always catch the parade, but I do enjoy a good stilt-walker. I think I would be really good at this.

If you remember this classic from Awkward Family Photos, you will surely appreciate the classic jeans on Smokey the Bear.

8. Free Stuff

I usually load up on free and educational pamphlets like, "Attracting Birds to the Home Landscape", "Follow that Bill", and "Dairy Goodness", but some years you really luck out. We each got a small vial of 5-hour Energy (in berry or grape), and it was immediately consumed by the men folk. I find that coffee, particularly the French Meadow Bakery organic coffee with cream (next to the crepe stand), works a little better for me.

9. The Eco Building

One of the newest - and definitely one of the cleanest - buildings at the fair and my second favorite, primarily because they have both free coffee samples (see #8. Free Stuff) and a house tour. Since it's always an eco-house, you can try out fun environmentally conscious activities, like taking photos on the heat screen. I have no idea why I was so much hotter than Adam, but maybe it was all that coffee. 

10. Lumberjack Activities

I guess Stillwater has their own Lumberjack Activities, so seeing Ron and Raven of Minnesota Bound was a good second choice. Anything with dogs would make my top 10 list by default anyway.

11. New Foods

It is possible to get salad at the State Fair, but - legally - you do still have to eat it on a stick.

12. Olde Tyme Tractors

Also, campers, RVs, personalized cabins, and Scamps. If there were only more hours in the day to tour every last one.

I'm putting this whimsical little number on my wish list right now. So, if anyone needs a gift idea for my upcoming birthday/anniversary, you're looking at it.

13. The Animals

We usually visit all the animals (except the horses, against which Adam has some odd personal vendetta), but we ran out of time this year. In the spirit of compromise, I was allowed to walk down only one aisle, so I picked the fancy chicken aisle, obviously. I just love them!

There you have it! All that fair fun and beautiful weather, too. I can't wait for next year. (And Tuesday. I'm going again on Tuesday!)

Caterpillar Party!

We've been keeping our eyes on the caterpillar party happening in our backyard this summer. We first noticed these guys on July 21, as we were leaving for my brother's wedding, but we check in with them every few days or so. They seem to be enjoying themselves. And why not? We have a profusion of milkweed this year.

The monarch caterpillars were later joined by this feisty fellow. A brief scan of the Internets revealed that he is the aptly-named Milkweed Tussock Moth. Unfortunately, his end result will not be nearly so beautiful as the monarch.

The caterpillars decided to share the remaining supply of milkweed. I still can't believe how much they can eat in one day. We gave up hope for the milkweed to recover and flower yet this summer, but you never know, I guess.

I accidentally knocked this little guy to the ground, so he gave me his defensive curl. Sorry.

On August 20, we noticed the first cocoon. I suppose our house siding is as good a place as any. We'll let you know when it emerges!